Is a Breast Implant Revision Painful?

While pain tolerance varies from person to person, most patients report that breast implant revision surgery is less painful than their initial augmentation. You may experience soreness, swelling, and tightness for the first few days, but discomfort is well-managed with prescription pain medication and supportive garments. Dr. Kachare’s gentle technique and post-op care plan are designed to minimize pain and promote a smooth recovery. If scar tissue is being removed or a lift is added, recovery may feel slightly more intense, but temporary discomfort is normal and expected.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Breast implant revisions need, at a minimum, four appointments. This includes your consultation, a pre-surgical visit, the procedure, and at least one (though likely multiple) follow-up appointment throughout the recovery period. Your pre-surgical visit ensures that you’re medically cleared to proceed with the surgery, as well as go over pre- and post-operative care, take before photos, go over last-minute details and questions, and sign documentation. Your follow-ups ensure you’re healing as expected and avoid potential complications.

How Long Until I See Results?

Similar to your original surgery, you’ll be able to see a noticeable change immediately. However, swelling and possible bruising will temporarily hinder the results, which is to be expected. As your body heals, the implants will begin to settle into a more natural position over the following weeks. Most patients notice a significant improvement in appearance within 4–6 weeks, with final results continuing to refine over 3–6 months. If your revision involved a lift or removal of scar tissue, the swelling may take a bit longer to subside fully. Dr. Kachare will closely monitor your healing throughout this time to ensure everything is progressing beautifully.

Can I Combine a Breast Implant Revision With Other Procedures?

Since breast implant revisions are a customizable procedure, they can be easily combined with additional surgeries or treatments for a more transformative change. In many cases, implant revision surgery goes hand-in-hand with either a breast lift or reduction, depending on the patient’s aesthetic preferences and body composition. In other cases, breast implant revisions have been paired with Breast Capsulotomy/Capsulectomy if too much scar tissue has grown due to multiple surgeries. Depending on your situation, Dr. Kachare will walk you through your options and provide his professional recommendation.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Breast Implant Revision?

As with your original procedure, breast implant revision comes with potential risks. These can include infection, bleeding, changes in nipple or breast sensation, implant malposition, capsular contracture, or dissatisfaction with cosmetic results. Additional procedures such as capsulotomy or lift may increase the complexity of the surgery. However, choosing a highly experienced, triple board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Kachare significantly lowers the risk of complications. During your consultation, he’ll go over your full medical history and explain every aspect of the procedure to ensure you’re well-informed and confident in your decision.

Greenville, NC

Breast Implant Revision

Introduction

Introduction to Breast Implant Revision

Getting breast implants is a fun, exciting experience! The results last for years and give you a new confidence you may have never felt before. But naturally, our preferences can change over time, and that’s completely okay! Breast implant revision surgery offers a chance to revise and replace your implants, whether due to aesthetic preferences, changes in the body, or potential complications. Regardless of the reason, Dr. Kachare in Greenville, NC, offers this highly customizable procedure for patients nationwide and holds your hand from beginning to end so that you can feel comfortable and receive the best possible results.

What is a Breast Implant Revision?

Breast implant revision is a surgical process that replaces old breast implants with new ones, whether for aesthetic preferences or other concerns. Most often, patients seek out this procedure to update the look of their breasts due to aging or weight fluctuations, thus updating the implants themselves and sometimes adding a breast lift or reduction procedure. This may be needed in some cases due to issues such as capsular contracture or implant leakage. This type of procedure requires a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, as working with excess scar tissue and artistically revising the look can be complex.

A person's hand extends toward a clear, round object, resembling a breast implant or similar medical device, resting on a dark wooden table. Another person, seated, is holding a similar object. The table surface is dark brown or mahogany, reflecting light. The background is a muted, light brownish-gray wall, with a portion of a lamp visible in the upper right quadrant. The image appears to be of a consultation or demonstration involving breast augmentation or a similar procedure. - Breast Implant Revision in Greenville, NC

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Implant Revision?

Benefits of a breast implant revision include more than just aesthetic preferences. While its main purpose is to update the appearance of breasts (changing the size, shape, or type), it can also bring about relief from uncomfortable implants. This can happen due to the poor quality of your original augmentation or simply with time as the body changes. The procedure is highly customizable, similar to your original surgery, giving you the option to add additional procedures, such as a lift, reduction, or increase in size. Many patients report feeling physically and emotionally relieved after the surgery, as it restores confidence in their bodies.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Breast Implant Revision?

Typically, the best candidates for a breast implant revision are those who already have breast implants and are experiencing one or more of the following:

Change in aesthetic preferences
Discomfort
Body changes that require implant revision
Complications such as capsular contracture, implant deflation, or leakage
Your implants have shifted

It should be noted that patients should be in generally good health and not smoke or be willing to quit smoking prior to the procedure. If you have other health concerns, speak with Dr. Kachare in Greenville to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure.

What’s the first step

Having a breast implant revision can be an overwhelming experience, given that there are so many options to customize the procedure. Regardless of the reason for seeking the surgery, Dr. Kachare and our team will work closely with you every step to ensure you feel safe, heard, and comfortable. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation in Greenville with Dr. Kachare, who will go through your goals and concerns before evaluating your medical history. He may get an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of your chest if you’re experiencing pain or other concerns to determine whether your implants have shifted from their original position or are leaking. Then, similar to your original procedure, you’ll go through your options or revision implants, such as the type, shape, size, position, type of incision, and whether you want to add additional procedures. Dr. Kachare will explain the full procedure in detail, allowing you the time to make an informed decision and ask any questions before moving forward.

Lastly, you’ll receive a breakdown in pricing before reviewing your pre-operative instructions. These will include what to expect during your pre-surgical appointment and the surgery itself.

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Implant Revision Surgery

On the day of your breast implant revision in Greenville, you’ll arrive at the surgical center with a clear understanding of your procedure, thanks to your detailed pre-op visit. After being greeted by our staff and checked in, you’ll meet with Dr. Kachare to review the surgical plan one more time and mark the surgical sites. From there, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the surgery. The length of the procedure can vary depending on complexity, but it typically takes 1–5 hours. Once completed, you’ll be brought to a recovery area for monitoring before being released to rest at home under the care of a friend or family member. You’ll leave with detailed post-op instructions and access to our team for any questions or concerns.

Breast Implant Revision Recovery

Recovery from a breast implant revision is generally smoother than the initial augmentation, though this can vary depending on the extent of your procedure. You can expect mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and tightness in the chest, especially within the first few days. Most patients take about one week off work and gradually resume light activities after that. You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting and intense exercise for several weeks, and Dr. Kachare will let you know when it’s safe to resume your normal routine. Follow-up visits are essential during this time to monitor your healing progress. While early improvements are visible quickly, final results will continue to refine over the next 3–6 months as swelling fully subsides.

How Much Does a Breast Implant Revision Cost in Greenville, NC?

The cost of a Breast Implant Revision in Greenville has a wide range depending on the intricacy of the procedure, the type of implant used, whether additional procedures are being added, such as a lift, and the expertise of your plastic surgeon. In some cases, if you’re in need of a revision surgery due to medical concerns such as leakage, illness, or capsular contracture, insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Our team will talk you through your financing options and navigating insurance during your consultation, where you’ll also receive a full cost breakdown tailored to your unique procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Kachare?

Dr. Swapnil Kachare is a triple board-certified surgeon in plastic surgery, general surgery, and hand surgery—an achievement that places him among a select group of highly trained experts in the nation. His diverse surgical background allows him to approach breast implant revision cases with precision, artistry, and a deep understanding of both form and function. Based in Greenville, NC, Dr. Kachare is known for his warm bedside manner, attentive care, and meticulous results. Whether you’re seeking an aesthetic update or resolving complications from a previous surgery, you can trust that Dr. Kachare will guide you through the process with compassion, transparency, and unmatched expertise.

Breast Implant Revision FAQ’S

While pain tolerance varies from person to person, most patients report that breast implant revision surgery is less painful than their initial augmentation. You may experience soreness, swelling, and tightness for the first few days, but discomfort is well-managed with prescription pain medication and supportive garments. Dr. Kachare’s gentle technique and post-op care plan are designed to minimize pain and promote a smooth recovery. If scar tissue is being removed or a lift is added, recovery may feel slightly more intense, but temporary discomfort is normal and expected.
Breast implant revisions need, at a minimum, four appointments. This includes your consultation, a pre-surgical visit, the procedure, and at least one (though likely multiple) follow-up appointment throughout the recovery period. Your pre-surgical visit ensures that you’re medically cleared to proceed with the surgery, as well as go over pre- and post-operative care, take before photos, go over last-minute details and questions, and sign documentation. Your follow-ups ensure you’re healing as expected and avoid potential complications.
Similar to your original surgery, you’ll be able to see a noticeable change immediately. However, swelling and possible bruising will temporarily hinder the results, which is to be expected. As your body heals, the implants will begin to settle into a more natural position over the following weeks. Most patients notice a significant improvement in appearance within 4–6 weeks, with final results continuing to refine over 3–6 months. If your revision involved a lift or removal of scar tissue, the swelling may take a bit longer to subside fully. Dr. Kachare will closely monitor your healing throughout this time to ensure everything is progressing beautifully.
Since breast implant revisions are a customizable procedure, they can be easily combined with additional surgeries or treatments for a more transformative change. In many cases, implant revision surgery goes hand-in-hand with either a breast lift or reduction, depending on the patient’s aesthetic preferences and body composition. In other cases, breast implant revisions have been paired with Breast Capsulotomy/Capsulectomy if too much scar tissue has grown due to multiple surgeries. Depending on your situation, Dr. Kachare will walk you through your options and provide his professional recommendation.
As with your original procedure, breast implant revision comes with potential risks. These can include infection, bleeding, changes in nipple or breast sensation, implant malposition, capsular contracture, or dissatisfaction with cosmetic results. Additional procedures such as capsulotomy or lift may increase the complexity of the surgery. However, choosing a highly experienced, triple board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Kachare significantly lowers the risk of complications. During your consultation, he’ll go over your full medical history and explain every aspect of the procedure to ensure you’re well-informed and confident in your decision.

Schedule Your Consultation

Working with a reputable, experienced plastic surgeon is the best way to have your implant revision done correctly and safely with beautiful results. Call our Greenville office or schedule your appointment online with Dr. Kachare to get started.

For informational purposes only: A link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (252) 262-7511